Joe’s Health Calendar 4/8/12

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CareVan Provides Daily Free Health Clinic

St. Joseph’s Medical Center CareVan presents a free, walk-in health clinic for low-income and no-insurance individuals or families, 16 years old and older. The hospital’s mobile health-care services will be available to handle most minor urgent health care needs. Diabetes screening and blood pressure screening are offered on special days as noted. If you have questions, contact (209) 461-3471. Clinic schedule is subject to change without notice.

April 24 (Tuesday) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Wagner School, 8778 Brattle Place, Stockton. A representative will be available to screen patients for insurance eligibility.

April 25 (Wednesday) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: West Lane Bowl, 3900 West Lane, Stockton. This clinic is brought to you by St. Joseph’s Spirit Club members.

April 26 (Thursday) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton. A representative will be available to screen patients for insurance eligibility.

April 30 (Monday) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: West Lane Bowl, 3900 West Lane, Stockton. Includes diabetes and blood pressure screening clinics. A representative will be available to screen patients for insurance eligibility.

Growing GREENS/Eating LEAN

April 12 (Thursday) 11 a.m. to noon (or April 26; May 10, 24; June 7, 21): This free program at the Nutrition Education Center at Emergency Food Bank, 7 W. Scotts Ave., Stockton, is a combination of vegetable/fruit gardening workshops and nutrition/cooking demonstrations incorporating fruits and vegetables. Information: (209) 464-7369 or www.stocktonfoodbank.org.

Total-joint Replacement Class

April 12 (Thursday) or April 26, 1 to 3 p.m.: Lodi Memorial Hospital’s Outpatient-Rehabilitation Services offers a free, educational class for those planning to have total joint-replacement surgery of the hip or knee at Lodi Memorial Hospital West, 800 S. Lower Sacramento Road, Lodi. Knee class is at 1 p.m.; hip class, 2 p.m. Learn about preparations and exercises to do before surgery; the day of surgery and what to expect during the hospital stay; rehabilitation following surgery; techniques to decrease pain and swelling; and ways to promote maximum healing and return to normal function. Call (209) 333-3136 for more information or to sign-up for the class. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. For information on other classes available at Lodi Memorial, visit its website at www.lodihealth.org.

Childbirth Preparation

April 14 (Saturday) or May 5, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Lodi Memorial Hospital, 975 S. Fairmont Ave., Lodi, offers an all-day childbirth-preparation class. Cost is $45 per couple. For more information or to register, call (209) 339-7520. For information on other classes available at Lodi Memorial, visit its website at www.lodihealth.org.

Electron Microscopy Open House at Delta

April 17 (Tuesday) 1 to 7 p.m.: Fun, tours and food will highlight the open house at the Center for Microscopy open house at San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton. Click here for more information or phone (209) 954-5151.

Stork Tours for Parents-To-Be

April 18 (Wednesday) or May 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Parents-to-be are invited to attend a free stork tour at Lodi Memorial Hospital, 975 S. Fairmont Ave., Lodi. Prospective parents may view the labor, delivery, recovery and nursery areas of the hospital and ask questions of the nursing staff. Call (209) 339-7520 to register. For more information on other classes available at Lodi Memorial, visit its website at www.lodihealth.org.

2012 State of Health Care Conference

April 20 (Friday) 8:30 a.m. to noon: “Advancing Personal Health Records” is the theme of this year’s annual State of Health Care Conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J St., Sacramento. Keynote speaker will be Carlos Ramos, appointed secretary of the California Technology Agency by Gov. Jerry Brown in June 2011. For more information, please email conference coordinator Kelli Novak at knovak@strategiesforsuccessevents.com.

Living With Heart Failure

April 25 (Wednesday) 11 a.m. to noon or 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Feeling tired? Having trouble breathing? Diagnosed with heart failure? This free community education class will provide useful information on what heart failure is and how to manage it. You will also have an opportunity to ask additional questions about your medication and managing your health. Class will be held at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital (Administration Building, Classrooms A & B), 1420 N. Tracy Blvd., Tracy. Information, or to register, call (209) 832-6549.

Childbirth Preparation Series

May 2, 9, 16 and 23 (Wednesdays) 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (also Series 4: July 11, 18, 25, 27 Aug. 1. Series 5: Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3.): Class One: Understanding Pregnancy. Class Two: Understanding Labor and Birth. Class Three: Understanding Medical Procedures and Cesarean Birth. Class Four: Understanding Postpartum. Are you ready for labor and birth? This four-class series prepares mom and her coach for the emotional and physical changes of labor and birth. The series includes relaxation and breathing techniques to increase comfort during labor. Please bring three pillows, a blanket and/or exercise mat each night of class. You should attend this series during your third trimester. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Classroom 1, 1800 N. California St., Stockton. Information: (209) 461-5213 or www.StJosephsCares.org/Baby. Preregistration is not required for this free class.

Food Safety for Small-Scale Farms

May 3 (Thursday) 1 to 4 p.m.: Robert J. Cabral Agricultural Center, UC Cooperative Extension San Joaquin Co., 2101 E. Earhart Ave., Stockton. This workshop is intended for small-scale growers who are selling or would like to sell produce to a wholesale market, restaurant, grocery store, school or other institution. Increasingly, buyers are expecting their suppliers to have a documented food safety program on their farms. Topics to be covered include:

Breastfeeding: Getting Off to a Great Start

May 3 (Thursday) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.:Lodi Memorial Hospital, 975 S. Fairmont Ave., Lodi, offers “Breastfeeding: Getting off to a Great Start,” a one-session class covering the advantages of breastfeeding, basic anatomy, the breastfeeding process, common problems and solutions. An additional breastfeeding class for working moms is held May 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m., and is available only to participants who have already attended “Breastfeeding: Getting off to a Great Start.” Call (209) 339-7520 to register. For information on other classes available at Lodi Memorial, visit its website at www.lodihealth.org.

Welcome to Life Tour

May 14 (Monday) 7 to 9 p.m. (also June 11, July 9, Aug. 6, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 5 or Dec. 10): This class gives you specific information about where to go and what to do when it comes time to have your baby, including pre-admission registration. Includes a tour of the maternity area and birthing options tailored to individual needs. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Auditorium, 1800 N. California St., Stockton. Information: (209) 461-5213 or www.StJosephsCares.org/Baby. Preregistration is not required for this free class.

Big Brother – Big Sister in Stockton

May 15 (Tuesday) 6 to 7 p.m. (Also July 10, Sept. 18 or Nov. 13): This class helps siblings learn about new babies, how it will feel to be a big brother or sister, and see new babies and where they are born in our birthing area. Families are welcome. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Pavilion Conference Room (1st floor), 1800 N. California St., Stockton. Information: (209) 461-5213 or www.StJosephsCares.org/Baby. Preregistration is not required for this free class.

Big-Brother/Big-Sister Class for Kids 3-8

May 16 (Wednesday) 3 to 4:30 p.m.: Lodi Memorial Hospital, 975 S. Fairmont Ave., Lodi, offers a big-brother/big-sister preparation class. This class, for children ages 3 to 8, will help youngsters adjust to the arrival of the new baby. The cost is $10 for the first child and $3 for each additional child. Call (209) 339-7520 to register. For more information, visit the LMH website at www.lodihealth.org.

The Picture of Health: A Data Design Challenge

Deadline May 16 (Wednesday) 2 p.m.:See complete rules here. Great design presentation can help bring complex health data to life. With an eye on improving the status quo, the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) seeks to present data in new and inventive ways. To help promote broader understanding of the issues involved in fixing our health care system, CHCF launches a competition — The Picture of Health: A Data Design Challenge. Using data provided by CHCF and other sources, successful entrants will creatively explore how CHCF might depict data in a compelling and comprehensive manner, targeting policymakers and the public. Awards range from $5,000 to $500. See the complete challenge rules and details on data sources online here.

Fruit and Veggie Fest

May 20 (Sunday) noon to 4 p.m.: The Network for a Healthy California—Gold Country Region Retail Program will host Fruit and Veggie Fest at Rancho San Miguel, corner of Airport Way and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Stockton, as part of a monthlong statewide effort to empower low-income families to be Champions for Change by making healthy, active living a priority. Free to the public, the Gold Country Region event offers shoppers a fun-filled day of educational, interactive activities designed to highlight ways they can overcome challenges to make healthy choices for their families. California is battling an obesity epidemic. Fruit and Veggie Fest is designed to help ensure good health is not sacrificed in a bad economy. Through Fruit and Veggie Fest events, the Retail Program provides tips and tools to help low-income residents in Gold Country Region – and across California – take charge of their families’ health to help reduce the risk of serious health problems, including obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancers.

United Way Hosts 10th Power of One

May 22 (Tuesday) 10:30 a.m. doors open: The Stockton Community Council of the United Way of San Joaquin County will be hosting the 10th annual Power of One – Women Making A Difference Luncheon at the Hilton Stockton. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with numerous local nonprofit organizations set up throughout the hotel to inform and educate. A beautiful lunch will be served at noon. Table sponsorships begin at $400 for a table of 10, plus we offer multiple levels of sponsorship with various benefits for each level of commitment. Individual tickets are also available for $30 per person. Please do not hesitate to call Donna Ng at (209) 320-6206 to reserve your individual tickets or sponsorship. This will be a sold-out event. Our keynote speaker, Pamela Eibeck, Ph.D., is the president of the University of the Pacific. Eibeck is Pacific’s 24th president and the first woman to hold the office. Eibeck’s presidency follows a distinguished career as a researcher, teacher, educational reformer and university administrator. She received her bachelor’s through doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. An expert in heat transfer, Eibeck conducted experimental research related to electronics cooling and thermal tiles used by NASA on the space shuttles. Her later work focused on engineering educational reform, including early use of multimedia in the classroom, curriculum development and most recently, ways to attract young people and women to the profession. Eibeck received the Distinguished Engineering Award from the Society of Women Engineers in 1996 and the Boeing Outstanding Educator Award in 1999. She became a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1998. Eibeck’s vision for Pacific’s future includes enhancing Pacific’s academic enterprise, building connections between the university’s three cities, and serving our communities through partnerships at the local, national and global levels. Eibeck will inspire you with her story of how the power of one woman can make a difference in her community. In addition to the keynote speaker, the Power of One Committee will be awarding its seventh Community Star award to Joy Clem, a member of our community who has demonstrated a passion and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those most in need. The net proceeds of this event will be donated to United Way’s Community Council projects.

Breastfeeding Class

June 6 (Thursday) 7 to 9:30 p.m. Also Aug. 8, Oct. 10 or Dec. 5: This class offers mothers and their partners information on the benefits of breastfeeding, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and the basics of breastfeeding management. Topics include latching, the effect of analgesia/anesthesia on infant behavior, and the rationales of care practices such as early skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in and feeding on cue. Expressing breast milk, and helpful hints for your family. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Auditorium, 1800 N. California St., Stockton. Information: (209) 461-5213 or www.StJosephsCares.org/Baby. Preregistration is not required for this free class.

All Day Childbirth Preparation Class

June 9 (Saturday) 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Also Aug. 25 or Nov. 17): This class covers all information listed in our evening series in a one-day condensed class. Please bring three pillows, a blanket and/or exercise mat each night of class. You should attend this class during your third trimester. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Classroom 1, 1800 N. California St., Stockton. Information: (209) 461-5213 or www.StJosephsCares.org/Baby. Preregistration is not required for this free class.

Having a Cesarean Birth

June 13 (Wednesday) 5 to 6:30 p.m. (Also Aug. 22, Oct. 17 or Dec. 12): This class is designed to prepare a mother and her partner who are having a planned cesarean birth or may need a cesarean birth. Learn about the cesarean procedure including anesthesia options, what to expect, how to take care of yourself during recovery and also special techniques to ensure successful breastfeeding. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Pavilion Conference Room (1st floor), 1800 N. California St., Stockton. Information: (209) 461-5213 or www.StJosephsCares.org/Baby. Preregistration is not required for this free class.

The Newborn

June 13 (Wednesday) 7 to 9:30 p.m. (Also Aug. 22, Oct. 17 or Dec. 12): Parents-to-be, come learn about life with a newborn, the baby’s needs and changing development. Discussion includes baby care basics such as feeding, diapering and bathing, as well as the physical appearances of newborns and practical tips for parents. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Auditorium, 1800 N. California St., Stockton. Information: (209) 461-5213 or www.StJosephsCares.org/Baby. Preregistration is not required for this free class.

Prenatal Nutrition and Exercise

Aug. 8 (Thursday) 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Also Oct. 10 or Dec. 5: Nurturing your baby starts by taking good care of yourself during pregnancy. Come learn about healthy weight gain guidelines, good nutrition, how to manage common pregnancy discomforts, and more. This class will give you an introduction to exercise during pregnancy including body mechanics, posture and basic back care. Please wear comfortable clothing to allow for movement. Please bring three pillows, a blanket and/or exercise mat to class. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Classroom 1, 1800 N. California St., Stockton. Information: (209) 461-5213 or www.StJosephsCares.org/Baby. Preregistration is not required for this free class.

3rd Annual Hydro WALK Central Valley

Sept. 29 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Third annual Hydrocephalus Family Fun Day/WALK along with a harvest festival in Mountain House! Fun! Food! Raffle prizes! But, most of all, inspiration and coming together as one community. Everyone welcome. Information or to volunteer: Kim Ruiz at kimruiz.apocketfulofchange@gmail.com.

NEWS

Free Vision and Eye Care Services for Unemployed

In a move to assist more people in a lagging economy, the California Vision Foundation has further extended its free vision and eye care services to those in need. The CVF works to prevent vision loss by offering comprehensive eye examinations and related services through the generosity of foundation partners and donated services from doctors of optometry throughout the state. Low-income families with no medical insurance who are working, and now those who are unemployed, can receive comprehensive eye exams and low-cost glasses. “We are happy to be able to expand our eye and vision health services,” said Dr. Robert Gordon, president of the CVF. “With so many people without access to proper health care, we felt it was necessary to provide at least one opportunity for those in need of assistance to obtain eye care.” Californians can apply for CVF services by clicking here and completing the one-page application (available in English and Spanish) and mail it to: California Vision Foundation, 2415 K St., Sacramento, CA 95816. Information: (800) 877-5738.

New Quality Indicator Tools Help Hospital Consumers

Providing consumers with more options to make informed health care decisions, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development recently released four new Web tools allowing users quick and easy access in comparing hospitalization and utilization rates for various conditions statewide and by county in five year trend increments.

Wide Gap Between Care Patients Want and Receive at End of Life

When it comes to how they want to spend their final days, most Californians would prefer to die a natural death at home without being a burden, financially or emotionally, on their families. Yet according to a new poll released Feb. 14 by the California Health Care Foundation, a disparity exists between what people say they want at the end of life and what actually occurs. Among the results:

Nearly 8 in 10 say that if seriously ill, they would want to speak with their doctor about end-of-life care. But fewer than 1 in 10 report having had such a conversation, including just 13% of those over 64.

While 82% say that it is important to put their wishes in writing, less than one quarter have done so.

Only 44% of Californians who have lost a loved one in the last 12 months say their loved one’s end-of-life preferences were completely followed and honored by providers. These numbers drop to 26% for those who experienced a language barrier and 25% for those uninsured at the time of death.

Seventy percent say their home is their preferred place of death, but only 32% passed away in their homes.

The poll finds broad support, regardless of political affiliation, for reimbursing doctors to talk about end-of-life options: 84% of Democrats, 72% of Republicans, and 80% of Independents say it would be a good idea to pay for the conversation.

CHCF is releasing an accompanying report that profiles the state of palliative care in California’s acute care hospitals. Among the findings:

Palliative care consultation services have experienced a great deal of growth in recent years: Between 2007 and 2011, pediatric services increased by 128%, while adult services increased by 24%.

Most palliative care services have modest budgets, with 60% operating on less than $300,000 annually.

Every major metropolitan area in California except Los Angeles increased the number of hospital-based palliative care programs between 2007 and 2011. The percentage of Los Angeles hospitals with such programs actually decreased.

Read the complete press release now. For further details and additional resources, including a consumer guide for developing an advance directive from the American Bar Association and videos of individuals and family members reflecting on their experiences with these issues, visit www.chcf.org/endoflifecare.

Heart Medications Help Only If You Take Them

People take their prescribed medications for chronic conditions such as heart disease only about half the time. This high rate of “nonadherence” leads to an estimated 125,000 preventable deaths in the United States each year and costs the health care system between $100 and $300 billion annually. The February 2012 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter looks at this huge problem and offers practical tips on how to ensure that people take the medications they need, when they should be taking them. Cost is one barrier, of course, but so are complicated dosing regimens, hassles in getting prescriptions filled, and side effects. The February Heart Letter offers some hurdle-clearing ideas:

Cost — When you get a new prescription, check with your health plan to make sure it’s the lowest-cost option available. If not, talk with your doctor. Also, take advantage of free medication programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and the discount plans at large retailers and pharmacies.

Complexity — If you take several medications with different dosing schedules, talk with your doctor about how to streamline your medication regimen. Also, recent studies have shown that using mail-order pharmacies can improve medication adherence, presumably through convenience and cost advantages.

Side effects — Heart medications come with non-life-threatening but bothersome side effects, including fatigue, nausea, coughing, and muscle pain. Both doctors and pharmacists can offer effective strategies to ease side effects, but only if you talk with them about it.

The February Heart Letter feature on medication adherence also includes useful tips for establishing personalized memory aids for tracking which medications to take and when. Read the full-length article: “Medications help the heart — if you take them”

Questions About Health Reform Law?

How are small businesses affected by health reform?

Will everyone have to buy health insurance?

How will the new provision allowing young adults to remain on a parent’s insurance work?

The FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) section of the Kaiser Family Foundation’s new Health Reform Source provides concise answers to common questions about the health reform law. You can search for your question or submit a new question if yours is not addressed. http://healthreform.kff.org/faq.aspx. Additional questions addressing the affordability of health insurance, how programs like Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) will be financed under health reform and others are addressed in a series of Video Explainer clips featuring foundation experts answering specific questions about the law on a variety of health policy topics. http://healthreform.kff.org/video-explainers.aspx. Kaiser’s Health Reform Source, http://healthreform.kff.org, an online gateway providing easy access to new and comprehensive resources on the health reform law, provides these and other new features and tools including an interactive timeline showing when health-reform provisions take effect, all the latest polling data, links to other information resources, and the latest health-reform headlines from Kaiser Health News.

ONGOING

Respiratory Support Group for Better Breathing

First Tuesday of month 10 to 11 a.m.:Lodi Memorial Hospital, 975 S. Fairmont Ave., Lodi, and the American Lung Association of California Valley Lode offer a free “Better Breathers’” respiratory-support group for people and their family members with breathing problems including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Participants will learn how to cope with chronic lung disease, understand lungs and how they work and use medications and oxygen properly. Pre-registration is recommended by calling (209) 478-1888 or (209) 339-7445. For information on other classes available at Lodi Memorial, visit its website at www.lodihealth.org.

Planned Childbirth Services

Tuesdays 6 to 8 p.m.:Dameron Hospital, 525 W. Acacia St., Stockton, hosts a four-class series which answers questions and prepares mom and her partner for labor and birth. Bring two pillows and a comfortable blanket or exercise mat to each class. These classes are requested during expecting mother’s third trimester. Information/registration: Carolyn Sanders, RN (209) 461-3136 or www.Dameronhospital.org.

Say Yes to Breastfeeding

Tuesdays 6 to 8 p.m.:Dameron Hospital, 525 W. Acacia St., Stockton, offers a class that outlines the information and basic benefits and risk management of breastfeeding. Topics include latching, early skin-to-skin on cue, expressing milk and helpful hints on early infant feeding. In addition, the hospital offers a monthly Mommy and Me-Breastfeeding support group where mothers, babies and hospital clerical staff meet the second Monday of each month. Information/registration: Carolyn Sanders, RN (209) 461-3136 or www.Dameronhospital.org.

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous

Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a free Twelve Step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia. For more information or a list of additional meetings throughout the U.S. and the world, call (781) 932-6300 or visit www.foodaddicts.org.

Mother-Baby Breast Connection

Every Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m.: Join a lactation consultant for support and advice on the challenges of early breastfeeding. Come meet other families and attend as often as you like. A different topic of interest will be offered each week with time for breastfeeding assistance and questions. Pre-registration is required. Call (209) 467-6331. St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Pavilion Conference Room (1st floor), 1800 N. California St., Stockton.

Adult Children With Aging Relatives

Second Wednesday of month 4:30 p.m.: Lodi Memorial Hospital offers an Adult Children with Aging Relatives support group at the Hutchins Street Square Senior Center. For information, call (209) 369-4443 or (209) 369-6921.

Individual Stork Tours At Dameron

Wednesdays 5 to 7 p.m.: Dameron Hospital, 525 W. Acacia St., Stockton, offers 30 minute guided tours that provide expecting parents with a tour of Labor/Delivery, the Mother-Baby Unit and an overview of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. New mothers are provided information on delivery services, where to go and what to do once delivery has arrived, and each mother can create an individual birthing plan. Information/registration: Carolyn Sanders, RN (209) 461-3136 or www.Dameronhospital.org.

Brain Builders Weekly Program

Thursdays 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Lodi Memorial Hospital and the Hutchins Street Square Senior Center offer “Brain Builders,” a weekly program for people in the early stages of memory loss. There is a weekly fee of $25. Registration is required. Information or to register, call (209) 369-4443 or (209) 369-6921.

Infant CPR and Safety

Second Thursday of month 5 to 7 p.m.:Dameron Hospital, 525 W. Acacia St., Stockton, offers a class to family members to safely take care of their newborn. Family members are taught infant CPR and relief of choking, safe sleep and car seat safety. Regarding infant safety, the hospital offers on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m. a NICU/SCN family support group. This group is facilitated by a Master Prepared Clinical Social Worker and the Dameron NICU staff with visits from the hospital’s neonatologist. Information/registration: Carolyn Sanders, RN (209) 461-3136 or www.Dameronhospital.org.

Group Meetings for Alzheimer’s Patients, Caregivers

Thursdays 10 to 11:30 a.m.: The Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California in conjunction with Villa Marche residential care facility conducts a simultaneous Caregiver’s Support Group and Patient’s Support Group at Villa Marche, 1119 Rosemarie Lane, Stockton. Caregivers, support people or family members of anyone with dementia are welcome to attend the caregiver’s group, led by Rita Vasquez. It’s a place to listen, learn and share. At the same time, Alzheimer’s and dementia patients can attend the patient’s group led by Sheryl Ashby. Participants will learn more about dementia and how to keep and enjoy the skills that each individual possesses. There will be brain exercises and reminiscence. The meeting is appropriate for anyone who enjoys socialization and is able to attend with moderate supervision. Information: (209) 477-4858.

Big Brother/Big Sister

Second Sunday of month:Dameron Hospital, 525 W. Acacia St., Stockton, has a one-hour class meeting designed specifically for newborn’s siblings. Topics include family role, a labor/delivery tour and a video presentation which explains hand washing/germ control and other household hygiene activities. This community service class ends with a Certification of Completion certificate. Information/registration: Carolyn Sanders, RN (209) 461-3136 or www.Dameronhospital.org.

Outpatient Program Aimed at Teens

Two programs: Adolescents face a number of challenging issues while trying to master their developmental milestones. Mental health issues (including depression), substance abuse and family issues can hinder them from mastering the developmental milestones that guide them into adulthood. The Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offered by St. Joseph’s Behavioral Health Center, 2510 N. California St., Stockton, is designed for those individuals who need comprehensive treatment for their mental, emotional or chemical dependency problems. This program uses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to present skills for effective living. Patients learn how to identify and change distorted thinking, communicate effectively in relationships and regain control of their lives. The therapists work collaboratively with parents, doctors and schools. They also put together a discharge plan so the patient continues to get the help they need to thrive into adulthood.

PUBLIC HEALTH

San Joaquin County Public Health Services General Information

Recorded message line at (209) 469-8200, extension 2# for English and 3# for Spanish.

For further information, individuals may call the following numbers at Public Health Services:

For general vaccine and clinic questions, call (209) 468-3862;

For medical questions, call (209) 468-3822.

Health officials continue to recommend these precautionary measures to help protect against acquiring influenza viruses:

Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol based sanitizers.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve, when you cough or sneeze.

Stay home if you are sick until you are free of a fever for 24 hours.

Get vaccinated.

Public Health Services Clinic Schedules (Adults and Children)

Immunization clinic hours are subject to chance depending on volume of patients or staffing. Check the Public Health Services website for additional evening clinics or special clinics at www.sjcphs.org. Clinics with an asterisk (*) require patients to call for an appointment.

Lodi Health Center: 300 W. Oak St.; (209) 331-7303 or (800) 839-4949.

Protect Your Preteen from Serious Diseases

The Calaveras County Public Health Department reminds families of preteens about recommended and required immunizations for 11-and 12-year olds. Dr. Dean Kelaita, county health officer, encouraged families of preteens to schedule a doctor visit and get vaccines they need to stay healthy and meet the Tdap school entry requirement for incoming seventh-graders. During 2010, California experienced a whooping cough (also known as pertussis) epidemic that resulted in 10 infant deaths. Incoming seventh-graders for the 2012-13 school year must provide proof of having immunization against whooping cough (Tdap) before starting school. Students who have not met the requirement will not be allowed to start school. Immunity from childhood vaccines wears off over time, exposing a child to serious diseases that can lead to missed weeks of school or serious illness. Besides the Tdap shot, there are other immunizations that are now recommended for this age group, including the meningococcal vaccine, a second chickenpox shot (if they never had chickenpox disease), and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series. Also, everyone older than 6 months is recommended to receive flu vaccine. The Calaveras County Public Health Department offers no- or low-cost vaccines to children without health insurance or whose insurance does not cover immunizations. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Information: (209) 754-6460 or www.calaveraspublichealth.com.

Calaveras County Public Health Community Immunization Clinics

Valley Springs: monthly at United Methodist Church, 135 Laurel St. Third Tuesday 3 to 5:30 p.m.

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Have a health-oriented event the public in San Joaquin County should know about? Let me know at jgoldeen@recordnet.com and I’ll get it into my Health Calendar. I’m not interested in promoting commercial enterprises here, but I am interested in helping out nonprofit and/or community groups, hospitals, clinics, physicians and other health-care providers. Look for five categories: Community Events, News, Ongoing, Hospitals & Medical Groups, and Public Health.

TO THE PUBLIC:I won’t list an item here from a source that I don’t know or trust. So I believe you can count on what you read here. If there is a problem, please don’t hesitate to let me know at (209) 546-8278 orjgoldeen@recordnet.com. Thanks, Joe

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Blog Author

Joe Goldeen

Joe Goldeen has been with The Record since 1990. He is an award-winning journalist and member of the California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowship. He is a native of Northern California with a bachelors degree in political economy from the ... Read Full